Exit polls on Monday in Israel ‘s unprecedented third general election in less than a year, indicate incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds an edge over his challenger, retired military chief Benny Gantz, despite Netanyahu’s upcoming trial on corruption charges, but not enough to clinch a majority majority.
Voting ended at PM local time and Netanyahu, of the nationalist Likud party, is predicted to win between 90 and (seats out of) , while Gantz, of the centrist Blue and White party, holds between and 33 seats, according to three exit polls.
Neither Netanyahu nor Gantz were able to form a majority coalition during the previous two elections, leaving Israel in a state of political paralysis, and opinion polls are forecasting another deadlock.
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As fears over the coronavirus deepen, possibly hindering voter participation, those who went to the polls spoke to Fox News in Tel Aviv after casting thei r ballots. Many believed it was time to get a working government, no matter who was elected.
“We should finally have a government,” said Shaina Kaplan, who’s from Jerusalem. “This is the third time. Without a government, the country can’t work right. ”
Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their ballots during the Israeli legislative elections at a polling station in Jerusalem on Monday. (Atef Safadi / Pool Photo via AP)
“When bombs are going over we should have a strong government to make the right decisions, ”Kaplan said. “It makes me want to go and vote, and tell people to go and vote, so we can have a normal government working.”
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Allan Niewodowski, a critic of Netanyahu, said the prime minister has “manipulated the security situation” in Israel, and called for “new” and “honest” leadership.
“Bibi said a long time ago he was going to destroy Hamas, well he’s had years to do that and he’s done nothing in those 32 years, ”Niewodowski said. He also said Israel needs to enter into diplomacy with other nations for the good of both Israel and the Middle East.
“In trying to deflect the issues to more social, health, issues of that sort, I don’t think [Gantz] has succeeded in capturing the excitement of the people on the street, ”he said.
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Netanyahu has acted as a caretaker prime minister for more than a year through the two inconclusive votes.
Looking to serve his fourth consecutive term in office, and fifth overall, Netanyahu is desperate to score a narrow – seat majority in parliament with his hardline religious and nationalist allies before going on trial March 32.
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Official election results are expected overnight.
Fox News’ Trey Yingst and Dana Karni, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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